Comments

sjonesbb
10:14am Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Just to add an additional point. Our first goal on Saturday came from a cross did it not?! Why do you need a target man? Unless of course you enjoyed the football Bolton played on Saturday!!!

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]Just to add an additional point. Our first goal on Saturday came from a cross did it not?! Why do you need a target man? Unless of course you enjoyed the football Bolton played on Saturday!!!sjonesbb

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Just to add an additional point. Our first goal on Saturday came from a cross did it not?! Why do you need a target man? Unless of course you enjoyed the football Bolton played on Saturday!!!

Score: 7

Alfie T
6:30am Thu 28 Aug 14

Singing Seagull, Indonesia wrote…

Great news to wake up to! It's gonna be a fantastic day!! We are a force to be reckoned with. Well done to everyone involved with all our superb signings!!

Welcome to the home of football in the south Sam. You're gonna love it here!

Come on you SEEEEEEAAAAAGGUUUUUU

LLLLSSSS!!!!

Yep, happy with all our additions except O'Grady, not impressed so far. Baldock,Colunga and CMS are a very exciting trio, will be interesting to see how Sammi uses them home and away.

[quote][p][bold]Singing Seagull, Indonesia[/bold] wrote:
Great news to wake up to! It's gonna be a fantastic day!! We are a force to be reckoned with. Well done to everyone involved with all our superb signings!!
Welcome to the home of football in the south Sam. You're gonna love it here!
Come on you SEEEEEEAAAAAGGUUUUUU
LLLLSSSS!!!![/p][/quote]Yep, happy with all our additions except O'Grady, not impressed so far. Baldock,Colunga and CMS are a very exciting trio, will be interesting to see how Sammi uses them home and away.Alfie T

Singing Seagull, Indonesia wrote…

Great news to wake up to! It's gonna be a fantastic day!! We are a force to be reckoned with. Well done to everyone involved with all our superb signings!!

Welcome to the home of football in the south Sam. You're gonna love it here!

Come on you SEEEEEEAAAAAGGUUUUUU

LLLLSSSS!!!!

Yep, happy with all our additions except O'Grady, not impressed so far. Baldock,Colunga and CMS are a very exciting trio, will be interesting to see how Sammi uses them home and away.

Score: 4

Kit Napier's Beard
9:51am Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Cannot see why so many people have given you a thumbs down. In my long memory, of more than 55 years supporting the Albion, we have always tried to play with a big target man and when someone like CMS plays up front on his own play appears to stall when he is confronted by two big centre backs who simply stifle him. I would still prefer a Glenn Murray type of player to hassle the centre backs, collect the high balls and then feed it to the other striker etc.

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]Cannot see why so many people have given you a thumbs down. In my long memory, of more than 55 years supporting the Albion, we have always tried to play with a big target man and when someone like CMS plays up front on his own play appears to stall when he is confronted by two big centre backs who simply stifle him. I would still prefer a Glenn Murray type of player to hassle the centre backs, collect the high balls and then feed it to the other striker etc.Kit Napier's Beard

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Cannot see why so many people have given you a thumbs down. In my long memory, of more than 55 years supporting the Albion, we have always tried to play with a big target man and when someone like CMS plays up front on his own play appears to stall when he is confronted by two big centre backs who simply stifle him. I would still prefer a Glenn Murray type of player to hassle the centre backs, collect the high balls and then feed it to the other striker etc.

Score: 1

brightonup
8:57am Thu 28 Aug 14

B rian Tawses left foot wrote…

We've signed 11 players. Not all of them are going to work out. I think COG and the guy from Switzerland will soon be deemed surplus to requirements.

Neither has enjoyed a reasonable opportunity to show what they can do, so I think such a statement is a bit precipitous to say the least!

[quote][p][bold]B rian Tawses left foot[/bold] wrote:
We've signed 11 players. Not all of them are going to work out. I think COG and the guy from Switzerland will soon be deemed surplus to requirements.[/p][/quote]Neither has enjoyed a reasonable opportunity to show what they can do, so I think such a statement is a bit precipitous to say the least!brightonup

B rian Tawses left foot wrote…

We've signed 11 players. Not all of them are going to work out. I think COG and the guy from Switzerland will soon be deemed surplus to requirements.

Neither has enjoyed a reasonable opportunity to show what they can do, so I think such a statement is a bit precipitous to say the least!

Score: 8

Ex-pat Arnie
9:58am Thu 28 Aug 14

Kit Napier's Beard wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Cannot see why so many people have given you a thumbs down. In my long memory, of more than 55 years supporting the Albion, we have always tried to play with a big target man and when someone like CMS plays up front on his own play appears to stall when he is confronted by two big centre backs who simply stifle him. I would still prefer a Glenn Murray type of player to hassle the centre backs, collect the high balls and then feed it to the other striker etc.

Yeah, it's almost like the game has changed in the last 55 years.

[quote][p][bold]Kit Napier's Beard[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]Cannot see why so many people have given you a thumbs down. In my long memory, of more than 55 years supporting the Albion, we have always tried to play with a big target man and when someone like CMS plays up front on his own play appears to stall when he is confronted by two big centre backs who simply stifle him. I would still prefer a Glenn Murray type of player to hassle the centre backs, collect the high balls and then feed it to the other striker etc.[/p][/quote]Yeah, it's almost like the game has changed in the last 55 years.Ex-pat Arnie

Kit Napier's Beard wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Cannot see why so many people have given you a thumbs down. In my long memory, of more than 55 years supporting the Albion, we have always tried to play with a big target man and when someone like CMS plays up front on his own play appears to stall when he is confronted by two big centre backs who simply stifle him. I would still prefer a Glenn Murray type of player to hassle the centre backs, collect the high balls and then feed it to the other striker etc.

Yeah, it's almost like the game has changed in the last 55 years.

Score: 4

brightonup
7:44am Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]O'Grady?brightonup

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

Score: 7

JeffLomer
8:13am Thu 28 Aug 14

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!JeffLomer

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Score: 5

Singing Seagull, Indonesia
5:15am Thu 28 Aug 14

Great news to wake up to! It's gonna be a fantastic day!! We are a force to be reckoned with. Well done to everyone involved with all our superb signings!!

Welcome to the home of football in the south Sam. You're gonna love it here!

Come on you SEEEEEEAAAAAGGUUUUUU
LLLLSSSS!!!!

Great news to wake up to! It's gonna be a fantastic day!! We are a force to be reckoned with. Well done to everyone involved with all our superb signings!!
Welcome to the home of football in the south Sam. You're gonna love it here!
Come on you SEEEEEEAAAAAGGUUUUUU
LLLLSSSS!!!!Singing Seagull, Indonesia

Great news to wake up to! It's gonna be a fantastic day!! We are a force to be reckoned with. Well done to everyone involved with all our superb signings!!

Welcome to the home of football in the south Sam. You're gonna love it here!

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.Mayfield sweeper

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

Score: -51

brightonup
7:33am Thu 28 Aug 14

Haven't bothered to look at Mayfield Bleater's pointless comment. I know what is written without looking.

Boring and predictable. Time to put on a new record, Bleater!

Haven't bothered to look at Mayfield Bleater's pointless comment. I know what is written without looking.
Boring and predictable. Time to put on a new record, Bleater!brightonup

Haven't bothered to look at Mayfield Bleater's pointless comment. I know what is written without looking.

Boring and predictable. Time to put on a new record, Bleater!

Score: 21

elljam
7:39am Thu 28 Aug 14

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.elljam

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Score: 2

Guernsey gull
7:50am Thu 28 Aug 14

brightonup wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

Pray tell, what does &AMP mean in your post ?

[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]O'Grady?[/p][/quote]Pray tell, what does &AMP mean in your post ?Guernsey gull

brightonup wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

Pray tell, what does &AMP mean in your post ?

Score: -14

jockithenoo
8:43am Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTAjockithenoo

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA

Score: 7

Albion In Staffs
8:12am Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.Albion In Staffs

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.

Score: 17

Ex-pat Arnie
9:20am Thu 28 Aug 14

franckiep en france wrote…

Great news >>>up we go>>lot of talk still about a tall striker, Sami was a huge defender, do you not think he knows what is hardest to defend?? >>Agood small one can always (most Times) breat a good bigun IMHO.

This. I got bored of Alan Hansen way before he retired, but he was right when he said the one thing that scares defenders to death is an attacker with pace. Height they can deal with, pace is far more difficult to combat.

[quote][p][bold]franckiep en france[/bold] wrote:
Great news >>>up we go>>lot of talk still about a tall striker, Sami was a huge defender, do you not think he knows what is hardest to defend?? >>Agood small one can always (most Times) breat a good bigun IMHO.[/p][/quote]This. I got bored of Alan Hansen way before he retired, but he was right when he said the one thing that scares defenders to death is an attacker with pace. Height they can deal with, pace is far more difficult to combat.Ex-pat Arnie

franckiep en france wrote…

Great news >>>up we go>>lot of talk still about a tall striker, Sami was a huge defender, do you not think he knows what is hardest to defend?? >>Agood small one can always (most Times) breat a good bigun IMHO.

This. I got bored of Alan Hansen way before he retired, but he was right when he said the one thing that scares defenders to death is an attacker with pace. Height they can deal with, pace is far more difficult to combat.

Score: 9

franckiep en france
8:46am Thu 28 Aug 14

Great news >>>up we go>>lot of talk still about a tall striker, Sami was a huge defender, do you not think he knows what is hardest to defend?? >>Agood small one can always (most Times) breat a good bigun IMHO.

Great news >>>up we go>>lot of talk still about a tall striker, Sami was a huge defender, do you not think he knows what is hardest to defend?? >>Agood small one can always (most Times) breat a good bigun IMHO.franckiep en france

Great news >>>up we go>>lot of talk still about a tall striker, Sami was a huge defender, do you not think he knows what is hardest to defend?? >>Agood small one can always (most Times) breat a good bigun IMHO.

Score: 6

B rian Tawses left foot
8:48am Thu 28 Aug 14

We've signed 11 players. Not all of them are going to work out. I think COG and the guy from Switzerland will soon be deemed surplus to requirements.

We've signed 11 players. Not all of them are going to work out. I think COG and the guy from Switzerland will soon be deemed surplus to requirements.B rian Tawses left foot

We've signed 11 players. Not all of them are going to work out. I think COG and the guy from Switzerland will soon be deemed surplus to requirements.

Score: -8

OldGull
9:04am Thu 28 Aug 14

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

You misunderstand Sweepy
Brighton play real football, keeping it on the deck, cutting through the defence with precision passing for the forwards to run onto.
It's the mob up the road who launch it into space in the hope it reaches the head of a big lump.
Perhaps you could tell us how Eastbourne play now you are a lifelong supporter of them.

[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.[/p][/quote]You misunderstand Sweepy
Brighton play real football, keeping it on the deck, cutting through the defence with precision passing for the forwards to run onto.
It's the mob up the road who launch it into space in the hope it reaches the head of a big lump.
Perhaps you could tell us how Eastbourne play now you are a lifelong supporter of them.OldGull

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

You misunderstand Sweepy
Brighton play real football, keeping it on the deck, cutting through the defence with precision passing for the forwards to run onto.
It's the mob up the road who launch it into space in the hope it reaches the head of a big lump.
Perhaps you could tell us how Eastbourne play now you are a lifelong supporter of them.

Score: 5

JeffLomer
9:05am Thu 28 Aug 14

franckiep en france wrote…

Great news >>>up we go>>lot of talk still about a tall striker, Sami was a huge defender, do you not think he knows what is hardest to defend?? >>Agood small one can always (most Times) breat a good bigun IMHO.

I don't get this obsession about a tall striker on here, we don't need one, my view the job is done on the strikers we have enough now, maybe one more player in at the back!!
Up the Albion!!

[quote][p][bold]franckiep en france[/bold] wrote:
Great news >>>up we go>>lot of talk still about a tall striker, Sami was a huge defender, do you not think he knows what is hardest to defend?? >>Agood small one can always (most Times) breat a good bigun IMHO.[/p][/quote]I don't get this obsession about a tall striker on here, we don't need one, my view the job is done on the strikers we have enough now, maybe one more player in at the back!!
Up the Albion!!JeffLomer

franckiep en france wrote…

Great news >>>up we go>>lot of talk still about a tall striker, Sami was a huge defender, do you not think he knows what is hardest to defend?? >>Agood small one can always (most Times) breat a good bigun IMHO.

I don't get this obsession about a tall striker on here, we don't need one, my view the job is done on the strikers we have enough now, maybe one more player in at the back!!
Up the Albion!!

Score: 7

Mayfield sweeper
9:20am Thu 28 Aug 14

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

[quote][p][bold]JeffLomer[/bold] wrote:
Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!![/p][/quote]Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.Mayfield sweeper

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

Score: -5

Ex-pat Arnie
9:26am Thu 28 Aug 14

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]JeffLomer[/bold] wrote:
Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!![/p][/quote]Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.[/p][/quote]And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.
Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.
Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.Ex-pat Arnie

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

Score: 9

thetungsten
9:30am Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

i have a hunch that CMS maybe sold to pave the way for a bigger target striker. He has one yr on his contract left- is on big wages and we may therefore be better to sell whilst we can or risk losing him on a free at the end of the season. How many players over the years have run down their contracts and gone else where on a free. The club can ill afford to give away their prized assets!! I dont think our transfer business is concluded- both incoming or outgoing

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]i have a hunch that CMS maybe sold to pave the way for a bigger target striker. He has one yr on his contract left- is on big wages and we may therefore be better to sell whilst we can or risk losing him on a free at the end of the season. How many players over the years have run down their contracts and gone else where on a free. The club can ill afford to give away their prized assets!! I dont think our transfer business is concluded- both incoming or outgoingthetungsten

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

i have a hunch that CMS maybe sold to pave the way for a bigger target striker. He has one yr on his contract left- is on big wages and we may therefore be better to sell whilst we can or risk losing him on a free at the end of the season. How many players over the years have run down their contracts and gone else where on a free. The club can ill afford to give away their prized assets!! I dont think our transfer business is concluded- both incoming or outgoing

Score: 5

Max Ripple
9:36am Thu 28 Aug 14

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

Ah now this is where YOU are not looking outside the box, as it were. Yes, they may all be shortish but they are all 'fast, pacey, quick, nimble etc'. I think Sami has spotted something that may well work well for us. These guys could be great against the lumbering big defenders we see at most other clubs at this level. You don't have to just out high balls into the box. Those low hard balls across and into the box are the ones that these guys will sniff out. Look at CMS's goal against Bolton and Corlunga's against Swindon. Look at the two penalty decisions - JFC and Corlunga brought down because the defender wasn't quick enough to tackle properly.
And we still have the option on COG (although the jury's still out on him) for when aerial height might be deemed useful.
Don't lose faith in this pattern of players.

[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.[/p][/quote]Ah now this is where YOU are not looking outside the box, as it were. Yes, they may all be shortish but they are all 'fast, pacey, quick, nimble etc'. I think Sami has spotted something that may well work well for us. These guys could be great against the lumbering big defenders we see at most other clubs at this level. You don't have to just out high balls into the box. Those low hard balls across and into the box are the ones that these guys will sniff out. Look at CMS's goal against Bolton and Corlunga's against Swindon. Look at the two penalty decisions - JFC and Corlunga brought down because the defender wasn't quick enough to tackle properly.
And we still have the option on COG (although the jury's still out on him) for when aerial height might be deemed useful.
Don't lose faith in this pattern of players.Max Ripple

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

Ah now this is where YOU are not looking outside the box, as it were. Yes, they may all be shortish but they are all 'fast, pacey, quick, nimble etc'. I think Sami has spotted something that may well work well for us. These guys could be great against the lumbering big defenders we see at most other clubs at this level. You don't have to just out high balls into the box. Those low hard balls across and into the box are the ones that these guys will sniff out. Look at CMS's goal against Bolton and Corlunga's against Swindon. Look at the two penalty decisions - JFC and Corlunga brought down because the defender wasn't quick enough to tackle properly.
And we still have the option on COG (although the jury's still out on him) for when aerial height might be deemed useful.
Don't lose faith in this pattern of players.

Score: 11

Chi Gull
9:39am Thu 28 Aug 14

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]JeffLomer[/bold] wrote:
Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!![/p][/quote]Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.[/p][/quote]And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.
Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.
Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.[/p][/quote]So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!Chi Gull

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

Score: 4

Ex-pat Arnie
9:53am Thu 28 Aug 14

Chi Gull wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)

It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.

The future is indeed looking up and up :-)

[quote][p][bold]Chi Gull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]JeffLomer[/bold] wrote:
Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!![/p][/quote]Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.[/p][/quote]And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.
Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.
Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.[/p][/quote]So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !![/p][/quote]I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)
It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.
The future is indeed looking up and up :-)Ex-pat Arnie

Chi Gull wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)

It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.

The future is indeed looking up and up :-)

Score: 3

Gee Jay
10:13am Thu 28 Aug 14

I love CMS for his 'Duracell Like' energy and enthusiasm,as well as coming across a a nice guy, but I think as someone else has said on here, I wouldn't be surprised if Albion sold him while he is still on a contract with us.
It has been shownin recent weeks, how the club is now being run, and the 'Glen Murray' situation will not be allowed to be repeated.
U.T.A. and credit to the board.

I love CMS for his 'Duracell Like' energy and enthusiasm,as well as coming across a a nice guy, but I think as someone else has said on here, I wouldn't be surprised if Albion sold him while he is still on a contract with us.
It has been shownin recent weeks, how the club is now being run, and the 'Glen Murray' situation will not be allowed to be repeated.
U.T.A. and credit to the board.Gee Jay

I love CMS for his 'Duracell Like' energy and enthusiasm,as well as coming across a a nice guy, but I think as someone else has said on here, I wouldn't be surprised if Albion sold him while he is still on a contract with us.
It has been shownin recent weeks, how the club is now being run, and the 'Glen Murray' situation will not be allowed to be repeated.
U.T.A. and credit to the board.

Score: 5

lenward
10:15am Thu 28 Aug 14

People keep saying we need a big tall striker. We already have a big striker in COG, he may not be every ones cup of tea, but he is strong in the challenge and I think he would a good front man for SB or CMS to run off.

The style of play we seem to be playing does not need a tall striker, just some one who can get themselves in the box at the right time. Against Bolton to many times we had to stop and go backwards because we had no one in the box, now get that right and we will be knocking in goals with no problem.

People keep saying we need a big tall striker. We already have a big striker in COG, he may not be every ones cup of tea, but he is strong in the challenge and I think he would a good front man for SB or CMS to run off.
The style of play we seem to be playing does not need a tall striker, just some one who can get themselves in the box at the right time. Against Bolton to many times we had to stop and go backwards because we had no one in the box, now get that right and we will be knocking in goals with no problem.lenward

People keep saying we need a big tall striker. We already have a big striker in COG, he may not be every ones cup of tea, but he is strong in the challenge and I think he would a good front man for SB or CMS to run off.

The style of play we seem to be playing does not need a tall striker, just some one who can get themselves in the box at the right time. Against Bolton to many times we had to stop and go backwards because we had no one in the box, now get that right and we will be knocking in goals with no problem.

Score: 3

Sheil
10:20am Thu 28 Aug 14

Well at least we should see more shots on goal-hopefully goal bound!

It's very obvious Sami is putting his stamp on the type of football he wants played.

Can't wait to hear the Nth Stands new song! Roll on Saturday.

UTA

Well at least we should see more shots on goal-hopefully goal bound!
It's very obvious Sami is putting his stamp on the type of football he wants played.
Can't wait to hear the Nth Stands new song! Roll on Saturday.
UTASheil

Well at least we should see more shots on goal-hopefully goal bound!

It's very obvious Sami is putting his stamp on the type of football he wants played.

Can't wait to hear the Nth Stands new song! Roll on Saturday.

UTA

Score: 3

spidergull
10:36am Thu 28 Aug 14

brightonup wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

Just see how the team plays. I know the championship can churn out quite a lot of crosses but you don't have to be massive to get up there.. positioning and movement is more important. Plus set plays our centre halves will be up there. Just wait and see and be please with signings!

[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]O'Grady?[/p][/quote]Just see how the team plays. I know the championship can churn out quite a lot of crosses but you don't have to be massive to get up there.. positioning and movement is more important. Plus set plays our centre halves will be up there. Just wait and see and be please with signings!spidergull

brightonup wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

Just see how the team plays. I know the championship can churn out quite a lot of crosses but you don't have to be massive to get up there.. positioning and movement is more important. Plus set plays our centre halves will be up there. Just wait and see and be please with signings!

Score: 10

Max Ripple
3:46pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Kit Napier's Beard wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Cannot see why so many people have given you a thumbs down. In my long memory, of more than 55 years supporting the Albion, we have always tried to play with a big target man and when someone like CMS plays up front on his own play appears to stall when he is confronted by two big centre backs who simply stifle him. I would still prefer a Glenn Murray type of player to hassle the centre backs, collect the high balls and then feed it to the other striker etc.

Maybe - "when he plays up front on his own". But who says he is going to play on his own? Two or three like him knocking balls around with dexterity to run on to - now that's a different matter altogether. As someone else said, Sami was a tall defender so he will have known what kind of striker was most difficult to play against.

[quote][p][bold]Kit Napier's Beard[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]Cannot see why so many people have given you a thumbs down. In my long memory, of more than 55 years supporting the Albion, we have always tried to play with a big target man and when someone like CMS plays up front on his own play appears to stall when he is confronted by two big centre backs who simply stifle him. I would still prefer a Glenn Murray type of player to hassle the centre backs, collect the high balls and then feed it to the other striker etc.[/p][/quote]Maybe - "when he plays up front on his own". But who says he is going to play on his own? Two or three like him knocking balls around with dexterity to run on to - now that's a different matter altogether. As someone else said, Sami was a tall defender so he will have known what kind of striker was most difficult to play against.Max Ripple

Kit Napier's Beard wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Cannot see why so many people have given you a thumbs down. In my long memory, of more than 55 years supporting the Albion, we have always tried to play with a big target man and when someone like CMS plays up front on his own play appears to stall when he is confronted by two big centre backs who simply stifle him. I would still prefer a Glenn Murray type of player to hassle the centre backs, collect the high balls and then feed it to the other striker etc.

Maybe - "when he plays up front on his own". But who says he is going to play on his own? Two or three like him knocking balls around with dexterity to run on to - now that's a different matter altogether. As someone else said, Sami was a tall defender so he will have known what kind of striker was most difficult to play against.

Score: 1

jockithenoo
10:43am Thu 28 Aug 14

Sheil wrote…

Well at least we should see more shots on goal-hopefully goal bound!

It's very obvious Sami is putting his stamp on the type of football he wants played.

Can't wait to hear the Nth Stands new song! Roll on Saturday.

UTA

Re the new songs my friend went to Leeds away some new songs where sung but not at the amex we need somewhere for out songs to be posted so we can all song along to support our team.
Is there such a place where we can find them ?????????
UTA

[quote][p][bold]Sheil[/bold] wrote:
Well at least we should see more shots on goal-hopefully goal bound!
It's very obvious Sami is putting his stamp on the type of football he wants played.
Can't wait to hear the Nth Stands new song! Roll on Saturday.
UTA[/p][/quote]Re the new songs my friend went to Leeds away some new songs where sung but not at the amex we need somewhere for out songs to be posted so we can all song along to support our team.
Is there such a place where we can find them ?????????
UTAjockithenoo

Sheil wrote…

Well at least we should see more shots on goal-hopefully goal bound!

It's very obvious Sami is putting his stamp on the type of football he wants played.

Can't wait to hear the Nth Stands new song! Roll on Saturday.

UTA

Re the new songs my friend went to Leeds away some new songs where sung but not at the amex we need somewhere for out songs to be posted so we can all song along to support our team.
Is there such a place where we can find them ?????????
UTA

Score: 5

pjwilk
10:44am Thu 28 Aug 14

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

I must agree we are still waiting for a target man,I feel we are flooded with midfield players but still need that Carlton Cole.If you think of goals from headers at set pieces and that strong hold up man that can nod or touch the ball of to our speedy forwards its what could be the difference .Unload a couple of midfielder s and get that big man.

[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.[/p][/quote]I must agree we are still waiting for a target man,I feel we are flooded with midfield players but still need that Carlton Cole.If you think of goals from headers at set pieces and that strong hold up man that can nod or touch the ball of to our speedy forwards its what could be the difference .Unload a couple of midfielder s and get that big man.pjwilk

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

I must agree we are still waiting for a target man,I feel we are flooded with midfield players but still need that Carlton Cole.If you think of goals from headers at set pieces and that strong hold up man that can nod or touch the ball of to our speedy forwards its what could be the difference .Unload a couple of midfielder s and get that big man.

Score: -11

Spirit of Spearitt
10:48am Thu 28 Aug 14

Guernsey gull wrote…

brightonup wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

Pray tell, what does & mean in your post ?

Hi there - It's an Ampersand - the little button or squiggle you put in instead of 'and'. The Argus website doesn't like them when someone is being quoted. Cheers Max

[quote][p][bold]Guernsey gull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]O'Grady?[/p][/quote]Pray tell, what does & mean in your post ?[/p][/quote]Hi there - It's an Ampersand - the little button or squiggle you put in instead of 'and'. The Argus website doesn't like them when someone is being quoted. Cheers MaxSpirit of Spearitt

Guernsey gull wrote…

brightonup wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

Pray tell, what does & mean in your post ?

Hi there - It's an Ampersand - the little button or squiggle you put in instead of 'and'. The Argus website doesn't like them when someone is being quoted. Cheers Max

Chris O'grady is 6' 1" So although the jury is out on him, He is the big CF alternative.
Only Glen Murray at 6' 2" is taller.

I think I strike force can be potent, and maybe for the first time in years we will have 3 , 4, or even 5 players reaching double figures

Bobby Smith, Alex Dawson, Kit Napier, Willie Irvine, Peter Ward, Fred Binney, Teddy Maybank, Terry Conner, Dean Saunders, Gary Nelson,
All the above 5' 10" or less
Ian Mellor, Ken Beamish, Mike Small, John Byrne, Bobby Zamora, Leo Ulloa, Ashley Barnes
All the above 6' 1" or less
Chris O'grady is 6' 1" So although the jury is out on him, He is the big CF alternative.
Only Glen Murray at 6' 2" is taller.
I think I strike force can be potent, and maybe for the first time in years we will have 3 , 4, or even 5 players reaching double figuresOldGull

Chris O'grady is 6' 1" So although the jury is out on him, He is the big CF alternative.
Only Glen Murray at 6' 2" is taller.

I think I strike force can be potent, and maybe for the first time in years we will have 3 , 4, or even 5 players reaching double figures

Score: 8

Sheil
10:59am Thu 28 Aug 14

Couldn't agree more Jockithenoo.....I sit in the Nth Stand & find it very difficult to decipher the words!
I do wear hearing aids too!!!!!

Have to say it creates a great atmosphere......keep singing!

Couldn't agree more Jockithenoo.....I sit in the Nth Stand & find it very difficult to decipher the words!
I do wear hearing aids too!!!!!
Have to say it creates a great atmosphere......keep singing!Sheil

Couldn't agree more Jockithenoo.....I sit in the Nth Stand & find it very difficult to decipher the words!
I do wear hearing aids too!!!!!

Have to say it creates a great atmosphere......keep singing!

Score: 6

elljam
11:33am Thu 28 Aug 14

jockithenoo wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA

Of course we are going to score goals like Ince's every week aren't we.

Did I say anything about hoofing the ball. The point I'm making is that unless you have real top drawer players to try & play "eye of the needle" passes through packed defences week in week out takes some doing.
Sometimes the ball needs to be played into a striker with a good touch & who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure so that runners can feed off him. Or when crosses come in the box there is someone who has half a chance of getting on the end of them.

Like it or not we are a Championship club & as good as our signings are they are not Messi or Suarez.
Even teams at this level will work out how to defend against our talented but lightweight attack.
As for defending set pieces, every side will target that as a weakness of ours.

Some of you blinkered fans need a touch of realism sometimes

[quote][p][bold]jockithenoo[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA[/p][/quote]Of course we are going to score goals like Ince's every week aren't we.
Did I say anything about hoofing the ball. The point I'm making is that unless you have real top drawer players to try & play "eye of the needle" passes through packed defences week in week out takes some doing.
Sometimes the ball needs to be played into a striker with a good touch & who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure so that runners can feed off him. Or when crosses come in the box there is someone who has half a chance of getting on the end of them.
Like it or not we are a Championship club & as good as our signings are they are not Messi or Suarez.
Even teams at this level will work out how to defend against our talented but lightweight attack.
As for defending set pieces, every side will target that as a weakness of ours.
Some of you blinkered fans need a touch of realism sometimeselljam

jockithenoo wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA

Of course we are going to score goals like Ince's every week aren't we.

Did I say anything about hoofing the ball. The point I'm making is that unless you have real top drawer players to try & play "eye of the needle" passes through packed defences week in week out takes some doing.
Sometimes the ball needs to be played into a striker with a good touch & who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure so that runners can feed off him. Or when crosses come in the box there is someone who has half a chance of getting on the end of them.

Like it or not we are a Championship club & as good as our signings are they are not Messi or Suarez.
Even teams at this level will work out how to defend against our talented but lightweight attack.
As for defending set pieces, every side will target that as a weakness of ours.

Some of you blinkered fans need a touch of realism sometimes

Score: -12

elljam
11:41am Thu 28 Aug 14

Albion In Staffs wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.

That's ok then because COG is taller & heavier than Ulloa. There's probably a reason why he cost 500k & Leo £8m. Braising steak is a lot cheaper per kilo than fillet steak & there's usually a reason for that. QUALITY!!

The stats so far ? Get real, do you not think teams will wise up to our style of play as the season progresses. As for conceding goals that may have been prevented, Matt Mills for Bolton springs to mind (plus a few other near misses).
If wide play is an alternative who gets on the end of the crosses ?

[quote][p][bold]Albion In Staffs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.[/p][/quote]That's ok then because COG is taller & heavier than Ulloa. There's probably a reason why he cost 500k & Leo £8m. Braising steak is a lot cheaper per kilo than fillet steak & there's usually a reason for that. QUALITY!!
The stats so far ? Get real, do you not think teams will wise up to our style of play as the season progresses. As for conceding goals that may have been prevented, Matt Mills for Bolton springs to mind (plus a few other near misses).
If wide play is an alternative who gets on the end of the crosses ?elljam

Albion In Staffs wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.

That's ok then because COG is taller & heavier than Ulloa. There's probably a reason why he cost 500k & Leo £8m. Braising steak is a lot cheaper per kilo than fillet steak & there's usually a reason for that. QUALITY!!

The stats so far ? Get real, do you not think teams will wise up to our style of play as the season progresses. As for conceding goals that may have been prevented, Matt Mills for Bolton springs to mind (plus a few other near misses).
If wide play is an alternative who gets on the end of the crosses ?

Score: -6

elljam
11:51am Thu 28 Aug 14

sjonesbb wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Just to add an additional point. Our first goal on Saturday came from a cross did it not?! Why do you need a target man? Unless of course you enjoyed the football Bolton played on Saturday!!!

I hope I'm wrong but unless every cross is inch perfect we will not score from crosses. You need someone who can win percentage balls now & again.

Why do you think Poyet signed Ulloa ?

We often dominated games playing some great football, but when the ball came in the box it was cleared virtually every time.

This is the Championship & not the Premier League, a more physical presence is needed up front to keep hold of the ball so that the more talented players can feed off him & if we're serious about promotion then O'Grady is not the answer.

[quote][p][bold]sjonesbb[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]Just to add an additional point. Our first goal on Saturday came from a cross did it not?! Why do you need a target man? Unless of course you enjoyed the football Bolton played on Saturday!!![/p][/quote]I hope I'm wrong but unless every cross is inch perfect we will not score from crosses. You need someone who can win percentage balls now & again.
Why do you think Poyet signed Ulloa ?
We often dominated games playing some great football, but when the ball came in the box it was cleared virtually every time.
This is the Championship & not the Premier League, a more physical presence is needed up front to keep hold of the ball so that the more talented players can feed off him & if we're serious about promotion then O'Grady is not the answer.elljam

sjonesbb wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Just to add an additional point. Our first goal on Saturday came from a cross did it not?! Why do you need a target man? Unless of course you enjoyed the football Bolton played on Saturday!!!

I hope I'm wrong but unless every cross is inch perfect we will not score from crosses. You need someone who can win percentage balls now & again.

Why do you think Poyet signed Ulloa ?

We often dominated games playing some great football, but when the ball came in the box it was cleared virtually every time.

This is the Championship & not the Premier League, a more physical presence is needed up front to keep hold of the ball so that the more talented players can feed off him & if we're serious about promotion then O'Grady is not the answer.

Score: -8

Albion In Staffs
1:13pm Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

Albion In Staffs wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.

That's ok then because COG is taller & heavier than Ulloa. There's probably a reason why he cost 500k & Leo £8m. Braising steak is a lot cheaper per kilo than fillet steak & there's usually a reason for that. QUALITY!!

The stats so far ? Get real, do you not think teams will wise up to our style of play as the season progresses. As for conceding goals that may have been prevented, Matt Mills for Bolton springs to mind (plus a few other near misses).
If wide play is an alternative who gets on the end of the crosses ?

I've seen the other replies to this so I'll be brief and add only one further point to those already made.
It's far easier for teams to wise up to a style of play if it's focused on a big striker all the time. It's not the only way to play and SH clearly prefers a different option.
So.. if you prefer teams to have a physical centre forward that's your prerogative, but I think the overall point of most on here is that your preference is unlikely to be satisfied with another signing. The nature of those who've come in make the tactical intentions fairly clear, so I reckon it's a case of getting used to it.

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion In Staffs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.[/p][/quote]That's ok then because COG is taller & heavier than Ulloa. There's probably a reason why he cost 500k & Leo £8m. Braising steak is a lot cheaper per kilo than fillet steak & there's usually a reason for that. QUALITY!!
The stats so far ? Get real, do you not think teams will wise up to our style of play as the season progresses. As for conceding goals that may have been prevented, Matt Mills for Bolton springs to mind (plus a few other near misses).
If wide play is an alternative who gets on the end of the crosses ?[/p][/quote]I've seen the other replies to this so I'll be brief and add only one further point to those already made.
It's far easier for teams to wise up to a style of play if it's focused on a big striker all the time. It's not the only way to play and SH clearly prefers a different option.
So.. if you prefer teams to have a physical centre forward that's your prerogative, but I think the overall point of most on here is that your preference is unlikely to be satisfied with another signing. The nature of those who've come in make the tactical intentions fairly clear, so I reckon it's a case of getting used to it.Albion In Staffs

elljam wrote…

Albion In Staffs wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.

That's ok then because COG is taller & heavier than Ulloa. There's probably a reason why he cost 500k & Leo £8m. Braising steak is a lot cheaper per kilo than fillet steak & there's usually a reason for that. QUALITY!!

The stats so far ? Get real, do you not think teams will wise up to our style of play as the season progresses. As for conceding goals that may have been prevented, Matt Mills for Bolton springs to mind (plus a few other near misses).
If wide play is an alternative who gets on the end of the crosses ?

I've seen the other replies to this so I'll be brief and add only one further point to those already made.
It's far easier for teams to wise up to a style of play if it's focused on a big striker all the time. It's not the only way to play and SH clearly prefers a different option.
So.. if you prefer teams to have a physical centre forward that's your prerogative, but I think the overall point of most on here is that your preference is unlikely to be satisfied with another signing. The nature of those who've come in make the tactical intentions fairly clear, so I reckon it's a case of getting used to it.

Score: 2

Ex-pat Arnie
12:18pm Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

Albion In Staffs wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.

That's ok then because COG is taller & heavier than Ulloa. There's probably a reason why he cost 500k & Leo £8m. Braising steak is a lot cheaper per kilo than fillet steak & there's usually a reason for that. QUALITY!!

The stats so far ? Get real, do you not think teams will wise up to our style of play as the season progresses. As for conceding goals that may have been prevented, Matt Mills for Bolton springs to mind (plus a few other near misses).
If wide play is an alternative who gets on the end of the crosses ?

Leo is a more talented forward than COG - certainly with the ball at his feet - but your original post was saying 'a more physical centre forward is needed', which is surely defined by height and weight? You made no mention of skill. Staffs' point stands, IMO.

Also, re the Matt Mills goal, he was already being marked by one of our two centre-backs, so I'm not sure how a 'big man' - who would have been marking someone else - would have helped. It's possible that in future there may be goals that could be prevented, but the change in playing style that would necessitate would be of far more relevance in the outcome. It's possible that playing a 'big man' may lead to more corners being conceded anyway as we will be less able to keep the ball up front.

Talent >> size.

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Albion In Staffs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.[/p][/quote]That's ok then because COG is taller & heavier than Ulloa. There's probably a reason why he cost 500k & Leo £8m. Braising steak is a lot cheaper per kilo than fillet steak & there's usually a reason for that. QUALITY!!
The stats so far ? Get real, do you not think teams will wise up to our style of play as the season progresses. As for conceding goals that may have been prevented, Matt Mills for Bolton springs to mind (plus a few other near misses).
If wide play is an alternative who gets on the end of the crosses ?[/p][/quote]Leo is a more talented forward than COG - certainly with the ball at his feet - but your original post was saying 'a more physical centre forward is needed', which is surely defined by height and weight? You made no mention of skill. Staffs' point stands, IMO.
Also, re the Matt Mills goal, he was already being marked by one of our two centre-backs, so I'm not sure how a 'big man' - who would have been marking someone else - would have helped. It's possible that in future there may be goals that could be prevented, but the change in playing style that would necessitate would be of far more relevance in the outcome. It's possible that playing a 'big man' may lead to more corners being conceded anyway as we will be less able to keep the ball up front.
Talent >> size.Ex-pat Arnie

elljam wrote…

Albion In Staffs wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

I'm perfectly comfortable as it is and I really don't get this 'big man' fetish. There are alternative ways of playing offering movement, wide play etc that don't have to end with aerial bombardment and regarding your reference to Barcelona and Liverpool, the 'packed defences' we're up against are not Real Madrid's or Manchester City's.
If you look at the stats so far, we've already had goals from all areas so our threat is varied rather than one dimensional while defensively so far, we haven't conceded a goal that a 'big striker' could have prevented.
Anyway, COG now looks to be the 'go to' alternative. As a matter of fact, he's actually taller and heavier than Leo so I think you'll find we actually have our 'big man' and our striker pursuit is over.

That's ok then because COG is taller & heavier than Ulloa. There's probably a reason why he cost 500k & Leo £8m. Braising steak is a lot cheaper per kilo than fillet steak & there's usually a reason for that. QUALITY!!

The stats so far ? Get real, do you not think teams will wise up to our style of play as the season progresses. As for conceding goals that may have been prevented, Matt Mills for Bolton springs to mind (plus a few other near misses).
If wide play is an alternative who gets on the end of the crosses ?

Leo is a more talented forward than COG - certainly with the ball at his feet - but your original post was saying 'a more physical centre forward is needed', which is surely defined by height and weight? You made no mention of skill. Staffs' point stands, IMO.

Also, re the Matt Mills goal, he was already being marked by one of our two centre-backs, so I'm not sure how a 'big man' - who would have been marking someone else - would have helped. It's possible that in future there may be goals that could be prevented, but the change in playing style that would necessitate would be of far more relevance in the outcome. It's possible that playing a 'big man' may lead to more corners being conceded anyway as we will be less able to keep the ball up front.

Talent >> size.

Score: 2

Ex-pat Arnie
12:11pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Spirit of Spearitt wrote…

Guernsey gull wrote…

brightonup wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

Pray tell, what does & mean in your post ?

Hi there - It's an Ampersand - the little button or squiggle you put in instead of 'and'. The Argus website doesn't like them when someone is being quoted. Cheers Max

Which means... he could only have noticed that AFTER he decided to reply. And that begs the question, what was his original reply going to be?

[quote][p][bold]Spirit of Spearitt[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Guernsey gull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]O'Grady?[/p][/quote]Pray tell, what does & mean in your post ?[/p][/quote]Hi there - It's an Ampersand - the little button or squiggle you put in instead of 'and'. The Argus website doesn't like them when someone is being quoted. Cheers Max[/p][/quote]Which means... he could only have noticed that AFTER he decided to reply. And that begs the question, what was his original reply going to be?Ex-pat Arnie

Spirit of Spearitt wrote…

Guernsey gull wrote…

brightonup wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

O'Grady?

Pray tell, what does & mean in your post ?

Hi there - It's an Ampersand - the little button or squiggle you put in instead of 'and'. The Argus website doesn't like them when someone is being quoted. Cheers Max

Which means... he could only have noticed that AFTER he decided to reply. And that begs the question, what was his original reply going to be?

Score: 1

BIG TROUBLE
12:18pm Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

jockithenoo wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA

Of course we are going to score goals like Ince's every week aren't we.

Did I say anything about hoofing the ball. The point I'm making is that unless you have real top drawer players to try & play "eye of the needle" passes through packed defences week in week out takes some doing.
Sometimes the ball needs to be played into a striker with a good touch & who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure so that runners can feed off him. Or when crosses come in the box there is someone who has half a chance of getting on the end of them.

Like it or not we are a Championship club & as good as our signings are they are not Messi or Suarez.
Even teams at this level will work out how to defend against our talented but lightweight attack.
As for defending set pieces, every side will target that as a weakness of ours.

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]jockithenoo[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA[/p][/quote]Of course we are going to score goals like Ince's every week aren't we.
Did I say anything about hoofing the ball. The point I'm making is that unless you have real top drawer players to try & play "eye of the needle" passes through packed defences week in week out takes some doing.
Sometimes the ball needs to be played into a striker with a good touch & who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure so that runners can feed off him. Or when crosses come in the box there is someone who has half a chance of getting on the end of them.
Like it or not we are a Championship club & as good as our signings are they are not Messi or Suarez.
Even teams at this level will work out how to defend against our talented but lightweight attack.
As for defending set pieces, every side will target that as a weakness of ours.
Some of you blinkered fans need a touch of realism sometimes[/p][/quote]Got to get in on this stats bear with it.
Career stats premier 1993-2012 top twenty players
Shearer . A.cole . T Henry . R Fowler . M. Owen . L. Ferdinand . F. Lampard
T. Sherringham . W. Rooney . J .F. Hasslebaink . Rob Keane . N. Anelka .
D . Yorke . R . Giggs . I . Wright . D . Dublin . J . Defoe . E . Heskey . P Scholes
D . Drogba .
Total goals 2775. {Headed goals 439 that equates to 15.81%}
All the above knew how to head a ball but scored 84.19% of goals with feet . So target man who can head don't do for me .
Got to agree with jock on this one .
I THINK ITS YOU WHO IS BLINKERED WANTING A BIG TARGET MAN.
This is only my opinion
UTABIG TROUBLE

elljam wrote…

jockithenoo wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA

Of course we are going to score goals like Ince's every week aren't we.

Did I say anything about hoofing the ball. The point I'm making is that unless you have real top drawer players to try & play "eye of the needle" passes through packed defences week in week out takes some doing.
Sometimes the ball needs to be played into a striker with a good touch & who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure so that runners can feed off him. Or when crosses come in the box there is someone who has half a chance of getting on the end of them.

Like it or not we are a Championship club & as good as our signings are they are not Messi or Suarez.
Even teams at this level will work out how to defend against our talented but lightweight attack.
As for defending set pieces, every side will target that as a weakness of ours.

elljam...you should know by now, that it's rarely a good idea to come on here and make an argument for an alternative view. UTA

elljam...you should know by now, that it's rarely a good idea to come on here and make an argument for an alternative view. UTAdave from bexill

elljam...you should know by now, that it's rarely a good idea to come on here and make an argument for an alternative view. UTA

Score: 0

Ex-pat Arnie
1:05pm Thu 28 Aug 14

dave from bexill wrote…

elljam...you should know by now, that it's rarely a good idea to come on here and make an argument for an alternative view. UTA

There's a difference between arguing an alternative view and blindy stating something with nothing to back it up. An argument needs evidence - just saying "we need a big man" then not countering the other person's view with facts does not cut it ;-)

I personally do not think we need a 'big man' striker. We have scored several goals recently, and I can't think of too many of those that were scored by aiming the ball onto someone's head in the opposition's penalty area. It's the way West Ham play, and do we want dinosaur football like that?

Crosses in the air are statistically (I believe) one of the least effective ways of scoring. For example, in one match against Fulham last season Man Utd played in 82 crosses (46 in the first half alone!), completing just 18 of them. Neither of their goals were scored from crosses. I know this is but one match, but it goes some way to illustrating my point. Get the ball down, run with it, pass it low and with pace and see what happens.

[quote][p][bold]dave from bexill[/bold] wrote:
elljam...you should know by now, that it's rarely a good idea to come on here and make an argument for an alternative view. UTA[/p][/quote]There's a difference between arguing an alternative view and blindy stating something with nothing to back it up. An argument needs evidence - just saying "we need a big man" then not countering the other person's view with facts does not cut it ;-)
I personally do not think we need a 'big man' striker. We have scored several goals recently, and I can't think of too many of those that were scored by aiming the ball onto someone's head in the opposition's penalty area. It's the way West Ham play, and do we want dinosaur football like that?
Crosses in the air are statistically (I believe) one of the least effective ways of scoring. For example, in one match against Fulham last season Man Utd played in 82 crosses (46 in the first half alone!), completing just 18 of them. Neither of their goals were scored from crosses. I know this is but one match, but it goes some way to illustrating my point. Get the ball down, run with it, pass it low and with pace and see what happens.Ex-pat Arnie

dave from bexill wrote…

elljam...you should know by now, that it's rarely a good idea to come on here and make an argument for an alternative view. UTA

There's a difference between arguing an alternative view and blindy stating something with nothing to back it up. An argument needs evidence - just saying "we need a big man" then not countering the other person's view with facts does not cut it ;-)

I personally do not think we need a 'big man' striker. We have scored several goals recently, and I can't think of too many of those that were scored by aiming the ball onto someone's head in the opposition's penalty area. It's the way West Ham play, and do we want dinosaur football like that?

Crosses in the air are statistically (I believe) one of the least effective ways of scoring. For example, in one match against Fulham last season Man Utd played in 82 crosses (46 in the first half alone!), completing just 18 of them. Neither of their goals were scored from crosses. I know this is but one match, but it goes some way to illustrating my point. Get the ball down, run with it, pass it low and with pace and see what happens.

Score: 4

brightonup
1:38pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Chi Gull wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)

It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.

The future is indeed looking up and up :-)

Sorry Arnie - but I totally disagree. To dignify a troll's posts with direct responses means that they continue and we all have to put up with more of their rubbish.

Ignoring it has never been a sustained tactic. If it was, it would work.

Please refrain if you can, for all our sakes.

[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Chi Gull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]JeffLomer[/bold] wrote:
Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!![/p][/quote]Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.[/p][/quote]And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.
Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.
Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.[/p][/quote]So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !![/p][/quote]I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)
It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.
The future is indeed looking up and up :-)[/p][/quote]Sorry Arnie - but I totally disagree. To dignify a troll's posts with direct responses means that they continue and we all have to put up with more of their rubbish.
Ignoring it has never been a sustained tactic. If it was, it would work.
Please refrain if you can, for all our sakes.brightonup

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Chi Gull wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)

It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.

The future is indeed looking up and up :-)

Sorry Arnie - but I totally disagree. To dignify a troll's posts with direct responses means that they continue and we all have to put up with more of their rubbish.

Ignoring it has never been a sustained tactic. If it was, it would work.

Please refrain if you can, for all our sakes.

Score: 2

VegasSeagull
1:39pm Thu 28 Aug 14

On the subject of having a, 'target man,' an issue that as also spoken of earlier in the week, I posed the question, 'if we sign a target man, who will you have stand down to make way for him?' If my memory serves not one single answer was offered in reply.

Over the last two seasons we have seen many many posted comments calling for more pace, well now we have it. We have seen calls for a creative midfield player, sorted. The style of play must be more entertaining and we need the players that can give us that, done and done.

Will some of you never be satisfied?

On the subject of having a, 'target man,' an issue that as also spoken of earlier in the week, I posed the question, 'if we sign a target man, who will you have stand down to make way for him?' If my memory serves not one single answer was offered in reply.
Over the last two seasons we have seen many many posted comments calling for more pace, well now we have it. We have seen calls for a creative midfield player, sorted. The style of play must be more entertaining and we need the players that can give us that, done and done.
Will some of you never be satisfied?VegasSeagull

On the subject of having a, 'target man,' an issue that as also spoken of earlier in the week, I posed the question, 'if we sign a target man, who will you have stand down to make way for him?' If my memory serves not one single answer was offered in reply.

Over the last two seasons we have seen many many posted comments calling for more pace, well now we have it. We have seen calls for a creative midfield player, sorted. The style of play must be more entertaining and we need the players that can give us that, done and done.

Will some of you never be satisfied?

Score: 6

Ex-pat Arnie
2:05pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Elijam - why can't you compare the Premier League and the Championship? Our division is littered with teams and players with very recent experience of the top-flight.

Elijam - why can't you compare the Premier League and the Championship? Our division is littered with teams and players with very recent experience of the top-flight.Ex-pat Arnie

Elijam - why can't you compare the Premier League and the Championship? Our division is littered with teams and players with very recent experience of the top-flight.

Score: 6

elljam
1:58pm Thu 28 Aug 14

BIG TROUBLE wrote…

elljam wrote…

jockithenoo wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA

Of course we are going to score goals like Ince's every week aren't we.

Did I say anything about hoofing the ball. The point I'm making is that unless you have real top drawer players to try & play "eye of the needle" passes through packed defences week in week out takes some doing.
Sometimes the ball needs to be played into a striker with a good touch & who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure so that runners can feed off him. Or when crosses come in the box there is someone who has half a chance of getting on the end of them.

Like it or not we are a Championship club & as good as our signings are they are not Messi or Suarez.
Even teams at this level will work out how to defend against our talented but lightweight attack.
As for defending set pieces, every side will target that as a weakness of ours.

As I said previously you cannot compare the Premier League to the Championship, so why are you spouting a load of Premier League stats.

Also your point proves nothing because Shearer, , Ferdinand, Sherringham, Rooney, Hasselbank, , Yorke, Heskey, Dublin & Drogba are the type of player I'm saying we need. Someone who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure & bring others into play plus give a physical presence in both boxes.

Also I am not saying that the only way to score is by lumping balls in the air but you are asking a hell of a lot for players of more limited ability to cut open teams week in week out who will sit behind the ball in numbers & block off spaces in the final third because they will know that is the only way we are capable of playing with the personnel we have.

I'm sure we would all love to see that type of football too but it just won't happen every match & sometimes a different option is required. Even Barcelona's team of midgets have been found out in the last two seasons & they had Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas & Messi. Teams will let us go wide & invite crosses knowing we won't get on the end of 95% of them.

Still keep on dreaming you so called football purists & I hope you prove me wrong.

[quote][p][bold]BIG TROUBLE[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]jockithenoo[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.
There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.
Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.
I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.[/p][/quote]Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA[/p][/quote]Of course we are going to score goals like Ince's every week aren't we.
Did I say anything about hoofing the ball. The point I'm making is that unless you have real top drawer players to try & play "eye of the needle" passes through packed defences week in week out takes some doing.
Sometimes the ball needs to be played into a striker with a good touch & who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure so that runners can feed off him. Or when crosses come in the box there is someone who has half a chance of getting on the end of them.
Like it or not we are a Championship club & as good as our signings are they are not Messi or Suarez.
Even teams at this level will work out how to defend against our talented but lightweight attack.
As for defending set pieces, every side will target that as a weakness of ours.
Some of you blinkered fans need a touch of realism sometimes[/p][/quote]Got to get in on this stats bear with it.
Career stats premier 1993-2012 top twenty players
Shearer . A.cole . T Henry . R Fowler . M. Owen . L. Ferdinand . F. Lampard
T. Sherringham . W. Rooney . J .F. Hasslebaink . Rob Keane . N. Anelka .
D . Yorke . R . Giggs . I . Wright . D . Dublin . J . Defoe . E . Heskey . P Scholes
D . Drogba .
Total goals 2775. {Headed goals 439 that equates to 15.81%}
All the above knew how to head a ball but scored 84.19% of goals with feet . So target man who can head don't do for me .
Got to agree with jock on this one .
I THINK ITS YOU WHO IS BLINKERED WANTING A BIG TARGET MAN.
This is only my opinion
UTA[/p][/quote]As I said previously you cannot compare the Premier League to the Championship, so why are you spouting a load of Premier League stats.
Also your point proves nothing because Shearer, , Ferdinand, Sherringham, Rooney, Hasselbank, , Yorke, Heskey, Dublin & Drogba are the type of player I'm saying we need. Someone who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure & bring others into play plus give a physical presence in both boxes.
Also I am not saying that the only way to score is by lumping balls in the air but you are asking a hell of a lot for players of more limited ability to cut open teams week in week out who will sit behind the ball in numbers & block off spaces in the final third because they will know that is the only way we are capable of playing with the personnel we have.
I'm sure we would all love to see that type of football too but it just won't happen every match & sometimes a different option is required. Even Barcelona's team of midgets have been found out in the last two seasons & they had Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas & Messi. Teams will let us go wide & invite crosses knowing we won't get on the end of 95% of them.
Still keep on dreaming you so called football purists & I hope you prove me wrong.elljam

BIG TROUBLE wrote…

elljam wrote…

jockithenoo wrote…

elljam wrote…

I don't want to sound like a killjoy as the sun seems to be shining for Albion fans at the moment but there still seems to be a missing piece of the jigsaw.
There is no doubt some of the signings have added much needed quality to the squad but surely a more physical centre forward is needed. Set pieces are an issue in both boxes & we just don't have enough height or physical presence to be a threat when attacking or to cope when defending.

There is no doubt we are going play some delightful football & I'm confident that the entertainment served up will be much better than last season. However nearly all Championship sides have a lot of big lumps who if nothing else know how to head a ball & as shown against Bolton we looked very vulnerable from corners & free-kicks while offering very little from our own. We are also a side that puts a lot of crosses into the box
It also seems that Baldock & CMS are both better when playing off of a
target man. Teams are going to look at our line-up, defend deep, block the channels the strikers like to run & let us play in front of them. I can see a lot of frustrating afternoons ahead. We need a striker who can play with his back to goal & bring others into play.

Some teams can operate without a big striker but those teams are Barcelona & Liverpool (last season) who have enough quality to consistently find inch perfect passes in packed defences. Even Liverpool have signed a Plan B this season in Lambert.

I'd like to think that the board are still pursuing an Ulloa type replacement.

Did you not see the rohan ince goal inch perfect pass from Adrian taken on the volley.
note !!!!!! Volley imo I think rohan Ince has been given a different role tactically this season he appears to be getting forward more.
It's not about hoofing the ball is a tactical game and having skilful players who can pick a pass
UTA

Of course we are going to score goals like Ince's every week aren't we.

Did I say anything about hoofing the ball. The point I'm making is that unless you have real top drawer players to try & play "eye of the needle" passes through packed defences week in week out takes some doing.
Sometimes the ball needs to be played into a striker with a good touch & who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure so that runners can feed off him. Or when crosses come in the box there is someone who has half a chance of getting on the end of them.

Like it or not we are a Championship club & as good as our signings are they are not Messi or Suarez.
Even teams at this level will work out how to defend against our talented but lightweight attack.
As for defending set pieces, every side will target that as a weakness of ours.

As I said previously you cannot compare the Premier League to the Championship, so why are you spouting a load of Premier League stats.

Also your point proves nothing because Shearer, , Ferdinand, Sherringham, Rooney, Hasselbank, , Yorke, Heskey, Dublin & Drogba are the type of player I'm saying we need. Someone who is strong enough to hold the ball under pressure & bring others into play plus give a physical presence in both boxes.

Also I am not saying that the only way to score is by lumping balls in the air but you are asking a hell of a lot for players of more limited ability to cut open teams week in week out who will sit behind the ball in numbers & block off spaces in the final third because they will know that is the only way we are capable of playing with the personnel we have.

I'm sure we would all love to see that type of football too but it just won't happen every match & sometimes a different option is required. Even Barcelona's team of midgets have been found out in the last two seasons & they had Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas & Messi. Teams will let us go wide & invite crosses knowing we won't get on the end of 95% of them.

Still keep on dreaming you so called football purists & I hope you prove me wrong.

Score: -6

WisdomSpeaks
1:59pm Thu 28 Aug 14

B rian Tawses left foot wrote…

We've signed 11 players. Not all of them are going to work out. I think COG and the guy from Switzerland will soon be deemed surplus to requirements.

Both were brought in when we were without a manager so I agree. They could be on their way.

[quote][p][bold]B rian Tawses left foot[/bold] wrote:
We've signed 11 players. Not all of them are going to work out. I think COG and the guy from Switzerland will soon be deemed surplus to requirements.[/p][/quote]Both were brought in when we were without a manager so I agree. They could be on their way.WisdomSpeaks

B rian Tawses left foot wrote…

We've signed 11 players. Not all of them are going to work out. I think COG and the guy from Switzerland will soon be deemed surplus to requirements.

Both were brought in when we were without a manager so I agree. They could be on their way.

Score: 1

Ex-pat Arnie
2:02pm Thu 28 Aug 14

brightonup wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Chi Gull wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)

It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.

The future is indeed looking up and up :-)

Sorry Arnie - but I totally disagree. To dignify a troll's posts with direct responses means that they continue and we all have to put up with more of their rubbish.

Ignoring it has never been a sustained tactic. If it was, it would work.

Please refrain if you can, for all our sakes.

We will have to agree to disagree on this then. I will not 'bite' or rise to their bait (used to, but no longer) which is, I presume, what they crave, but if I can engage them in what I consider a proper football conversation, then why shouldn't I? You will never get everyone to ignore them, and really it won't work anyway (never had, never will) as they know that their mere presence is irritating. But if we can make them even slightly worth their place, then surely that's worth it? I actually managed to get Freeloaders involved in a genuine and fairly lengthy discussion once which involved no trolling and it was such a pleasant change. We're not going to remove them, so why not try and change them? It's got no less chance of succeeding.

[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Chi Gull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]JeffLomer[/bold] wrote:
Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!![/p][/quote]Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.[/p][/quote]And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.
Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.
Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.[/p][/quote]So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !![/p][/quote]I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)
It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.
The future is indeed looking up and up :-)[/p][/quote]Sorry Arnie - but I totally disagree. To dignify a troll's posts with direct responses means that they continue and we all have to put up with more of their rubbish.
Ignoring it has never been a sustained tactic. If it was, it would work.
Please refrain if you can, for all our sakes.[/p][/quote]We will have to agree to disagree on this then. I will not 'bite' or rise to their bait (used to, but no longer) which is, I presume, what they crave, but if I can engage them in what I consider a proper football conversation, then why shouldn't I? You will never get everyone to ignore them, and really it won't work anyway (never had, never will) as they know that their mere presence is irritating. But if we can make them even slightly worth their place, then surely that's worth it? I actually managed to get Freeloaders involved in a genuine and fairly lengthy discussion once which involved no trolling and it was such a pleasant change. We're not going to remove them, so why not try and change them? It's got no less chance of succeeding.Ex-pat Arnie

brightonup wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Chi Gull wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)

It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.

The future is indeed looking up and up :-)

Sorry Arnie - but I totally disagree. To dignify a troll's posts with direct responses means that they continue and we all have to put up with more of their rubbish.

Ignoring it has never been a sustained tactic. If it was, it would work.

Please refrain if you can, for all our sakes.

We will have to agree to disagree on this then. I will not 'bite' or rise to their bait (used to, but no longer) which is, I presume, what they crave, but if I can engage them in what I consider a proper football conversation, then why shouldn't I? You will never get everyone to ignore them, and really it won't work anyway (never had, never will) as they know that their mere presence is irritating. But if we can make them even slightly worth their place, then surely that's worth it? I actually managed to get Freeloaders involved in a genuine and fairly lengthy discussion once which involved no trolling and it was such a pleasant change. We're not going to remove them, so why not try and change them? It's got no less chance of succeeding.

Score: 0

Ex-pat Arnie
2:09pm Thu 28 Aug 14

"Even Barcelona's team of midgets have been found out in the last two seasons"

One La Liga title, one runners-up and a cup final does not being "found out" make.

"Even Barcelona's team of midgets have been found out in the last two seasons"
One La Liga title, one runners-up and a cup final does not being "found out" make.Ex-pat Arnie

"Even Barcelona's team of midgets have been found out in the last two seasons"

One La Liga title, one runners-up and a cup final does not being "found out" make.

Score: 7

brightonup
2:29pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

brightonup wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Chi Gull wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)

It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.

The future is indeed looking up and up :-)

Sorry Arnie - but I totally disagree. To dignify a troll's posts with direct responses means that they continue and we all have to put up with more of their rubbish.

Ignoring it has never been a sustained tactic. If it was, it would work.

Please refrain if you can, for all our sakes.

We will have to agree to disagree on this then. I will not 'bite' or rise to their bait (used to, but no longer) which is, I presume, what they crave, but if I can engage them in what I consider a proper football conversation, then why shouldn't I? You will never get everyone to ignore them, and really it won't work anyway (never had, never will) as they know that their mere presence is irritating. But if we can make them even slightly worth their place, then surely that's worth it? I actually managed to get Freeloaders involved in a genuine and fairly lengthy discussion once which involved no trolling and it was such a pleasant change. We're not going to remove them, so why not try and change them? It's got no less chance of succeeding.

Fair enough Arnie

....I am agreeing to disagree.

It is rightfully free for people to make up their own minds and act accordingly.

I will comment about their stupidity without giving them the pleasure of a direct response (football or otherwise) - and you try and win them over by trying to engage them in football debate.
Good luck with that! Let's see what happens......

[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Chi Gull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]JeffLomer[/bold] wrote:
Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!![/p][/quote]Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.[/p][/quote]And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.
Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.
Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.[/p][/quote]So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !![/p][/quote]I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)
It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.
The future is indeed looking up and up :-)[/p][/quote]Sorry Arnie - but I totally disagree. To dignify a troll's posts with direct responses means that they continue and we all have to put up with more of their rubbish.
Ignoring it has never been a sustained tactic. If it was, it would work.
Please refrain if you can, for all our sakes.[/p][/quote]We will have to agree to disagree on this then. I will not 'bite' or rise to their bait (used to, but no longer) which is, I presume, what they crave, but if I can engage them in what I consider a proper football conversation, then why shouldn't I? You will never get everyone to ignore them, and really it won't work anyway (never had, never will) as they know that their mere presence is irritating. But if we can make them even slightly worth their place, then surely that's worth it? I actually managed to get Freeloaders involved in a genuine and fairly lengthy discussion once which involved no trolling and it was such a pleasant change. We're not going to remove them, so why not try and change them? It's got no less chance of succeeding.[/p][/quote]Fair enough Arnie
....I am agreeing to disagree.
It is rightfully free for people to make up their own minds and act accordingly.
I will comment about their stupidity without giving them the pleasure of a direct response (football or otherwise) - and you try and win them over by trying to engage them in football debate.
Good luck with that! Let's see what happens......brightonup

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

brightonup wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Chi Gull wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

JeffLomer wrote…

Morning, be nice to hear about the lad from Cork if he's joining us or opted to join Hull, we can't have any complaints about our squad now, good luck at naming the starting eleven for Saturday not many will get that correct, two weeks ago we would off,
Up the Albion!!

Would 'have' not would 'off'. A grasp of basic English should cut out these mistakes.

And a grasp of basic football knowledge should cut out your embarrassing posts, too.

Seriously Mayfield, you are deeply unimaginative for a troll/wum. Ringtone may be a t!t but at least he tries to be witty. That he often fails isn't for a lack of effort, just ability. You just seem to have given up even trying.

Back to the subject in hand, like many others I don't think the club need to start looking for a 'big man' striker; that doesn't seem to be the way Sami wants to play. If, in the latter stages of a game we're struggling in, he wants to go a bit more direct, we can get COG off the bench and get him to provide a target, but I much prefer the idea of pinging the ball around at pace below knee-height.

So how unimaginative are all those that continually feed the trolls? Just don't do it !!

I get your point Chi, but I think you missed mine. Replying with a football-related answer is not the same as biting, and the majority of my post is not aimed at this particular specimen anyway. (Worth remembering however that ignoring them has also never worked... they just redouble their efforts to be noticed!!! Sad... but you almost have to pity them.)

It's nice that it seems the majority of posters are not worried by the lack of a direct replacementment for Ulloa. He was a very fine player for us, but it's just possible he wouldn't have been so effective in this new system anyway. I'm excited to see how CMS, Colunga and Baldock play off the last defender, using pace to wreak havoc.

The future is indeed looking up and up :-)

Sorry Arnie - but I totally disagree. To dignify a troll's posts with direct responses means that they continue and we all have to put up with more of their rubbish.

Ignoring it has never been a sustained tactic. If it was, it would work.

Please refrain if you can, for all our sakes.

We will have to agree to disagree on this then. I will not 'bite' or rise to their bait (used to, but no longer) which is, I presume, what they crave, but if I can engage them in what I consider a proper football conversation, then why shouldn't I? You will never get everyone to ignore them, and really it won't work anyway (never had, never will) as they know that their mere presence is irritating. But if we can make them even slightly worth their place, then surely that's worth it? I actually managed to get Freeloaders involved in a genuine and fairly lengthy discussion once which involved no trolling and it was such a pleasant change. We're not going to remove them, so why not try and change them? It's got no less chance of succeeding.

Fair enough Arnie

....I am agreeing to disagree.

It is rightfully free for people to make up their own minds and act accordingly.

I will comment about their stupidity without giving them the pleasure of a direct response (football or otherwise) - and you try and win them over by trying to engage them in football debate.
Good luck with that! Let's see what happens......

Score: 2

elljam
2:38pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Can't believe I've allowed myself to get sucked into this so I'll make one final comment.
Arsenal signed Giroud two season ago because teams worked out how to defend against them, which was defend deep in numbers in central areas, therefore restricting the space behind for the likes of Walcott to run into. They were happy to let them go wide because they knew it would be easy to defend crosses against their small team.
Since Giroud signed have they become less attractive to watch ? Do they just lump the ball in the air to him ?
NO on both counts.
What they have become with him in the side is less predictable because they can attack in more than one way & sides find it more difficult to set up defensively against them. They still score with runners from midfield playing 1/2 touch football with Giroud often the focal point of this. They also now score from crosses so the defences will be more stretched because those wide areas now have to be defended.
So for all of you muppets who don't get the point & think I'm talking Dinosaur football get real. If you only have one form of attack you become predictable & easier to play against, regardless of how attractive that football is.

Can't believe I've allowed myself to get sucked into this so I'll make one final comment.
Arsenal signed Giroud two season ago because teams worked out how to defend against them, which was defend deep in numbers in central areas, therefore restricting the space behind for the likes of Walcott to run into. They were happy to let them go wide because they knew it would be easy to defend crosses against their small team.
Since Giroud signed have they become less attractive to watch ? Do they just lump the ball in the air to him ?
NO on both counts.
What they have become with him in the side is less predictable because they can attack in more than one way & sides find it more difficult to set up defensively against them. They still score with runners from midfield playing 1/2 touch football with Giroud often the focal point of this. They also now score from crosses so the defences will be more stretched because those wide areas now have to be defended.
So for all of you muppets who don't get the point & think I'm talking Dinosaur football get real. If you only have one form of attack you become predictable & easier to play against, regardless of how attractive that football is.elljam

Can't believe I've allowed myself to get sucked into this so I'll make one final comment.
Arsenal signed Giroud two season ago because teams worked out how to defend against them, which was defend deep in numbers in central areas, therefore restricting the space behind for the likes of Walcott to run into. They were happy to let them go wide because they knew it would be easy to defend crosses against their small team.
Since Giroud signed have they become less attractive to watch ? Do they just lump the ball in the air to him ?
NO on both counts.
What they have become with him in the side is less predictable because they can attack in more than one way & sides find it more difficult to set up defensively against them. They still score with runners from midfield playing 1/2 touch football with Giroud often the focal point of this. They also now score from crosses so the defences will be more stretched because those wide areas now have to be defended.
So for all of you muppets who don't get the point & think I'm talking Dinosaur football get real. If you only have one form of attack you become predictable & easier to play against, regardless of how attractive that football is.

Score: 0

VegasSeagull
2:52pm Thu 28 Aug 14

The fact that we now have more strikers than we had last season, and all are fit and available for selection, no way can I see Hyypia not starting two of them. I think the days of the lone striker are gone, and if they are not, then why have four on the books, three plus Fenelon would have been enough.
I am still a tad surprised that Sami has not opted to bring in one more CB, yeah we have Maksi but seven changes were made to our line up against Swindon, and Maksi wasn't one of them.
March, by now, has seen the specialist regarding his injury, if the prognosis is good then no worries but, if his absense is going to drag on then maybe Sammi needs to go back into the market.
The squad looks good, in fact it looks very good, I am just not convinced that we have enough cover at the back.

The fact that we now have more strikers than we had last season, and all are fit and available for selection, no way can I see Hyypia not starting two of them. I think the days of the lone striker are gone, and if they are not, then why have four on the books, three plus Fenelon would have been enough.
I am still a tad surprised that Sami has not opted to bring in one more CB, yeah we have Maksi but seven changes were made to our line up against Swindon, and Maksi wasn't one of them.
March, by now, has seen the specialist regarding his injury, if the prognosis is good then no worries but, if his absense is going to drag on then maybe Sammi needs to go back into the market.
The squad looks good, in fact it looks very good, I am just not convinced that we have enough cover at the back.VegasSeagull

The fact that we now have more strikers than we had last season, and all are fit and available for selection, no way can I see Hyypia not starting two of them. I think the days of the lone striker are gone, and if they are not, then why have four on the books, three plus Fenelon would have been enough.
I am still a tad surprised that Sami has not opted to bring in one more CB, yeah we have Maksi but seven changes were made to our line up against Swindon, and Maksi wasn't one of them.
March, by now, has seen the specialist regarding his injury, if the prognosis is good then no worries but, if his absense is going to drag on then maybe Sammi needs to go back into the market.
The squad looks good, in fact it looks very good, I am just not convinced that we have enough cover at the back.

Score: 2

brightonup
2:57pm Thu 28 Aug 14

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!brightonup

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

Score: 6

VegasSeagull
3:00pm Thu 28 Aug 14

brightonup wrote…

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

It's being reported that Liverpool's young wide man Ibe is going to Derby on loan, that's a bummer, he could have been good for us.

[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant![/p][/quote]It's being reported that Liverpool's young wide man Ibe is going to Derby on loan, that's a bummer, he could have been good for us.VegasSeagull

brightonup wrote…

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

It's being reported that Liverpool's young wide man Ibe is going to Derby on loan, that's a bummer, he could have been good for us.

Score: 1

mark5
3:01pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

Priceless...........
.........I have this image of our chairman, being thrown around in the wash like a rag doll, anxiously, peering out of the machine door with wide eyes and covered in soap................
.......! On a serious note, I would like to see another big target man in the Leo style who can hold the ball up and lay it on to the smaller strikers too. However, I am more than happy with the quality of our squad generally and Sammi is clearly shaping the style of play he wants, which looks pretty exciting to me. If after a while we are are left wanting in the big striker area, to mix the style up a bit, I am sure we will get someone on loan or perhaps a signing from a lower division and this, is of course assuming, that COG cannot provide what is needed. My feeling is that he will probably prove useful, given a bit more game time. However, this is all detail and I believe that this is the strongest Albion squad in a while, with plenty of options and some good quality. Looking forward to Saturday, and let's ramp up the Amex atmosphere!

[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.[/p][/quote]Priceless...........
.........I have this image of our chairman, being thrown around in the wash like a rag doll, anxiously, peering out of the machine door with wide eyes and covered in soap................
.......! On a serious note, I would like to see another big target man in the Leo style who can hold the ball up and lay it on to the smaller strikers too. However, I am more than happy with the quality of our squad generally and Sammi is clearly shaping the style of play he wants, which looks pretty exciting to me. If after a while we are are left wanting in the big striker area, to mix the style up a bit, I am sure we will get someone on loan or perhaps a signing from a lower division and this, is of course assuming, that COG cannot provide what is needed. My feeling is that he will probably prove useful, given a bit more game time. However, this is all detail and I believe that this is the strongest Albion squad in a while, with plenty of options and some good quality. Looking forward to Saturday, and let's ramp up the Amex atmosphere!mark5

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

Priceless...........
.........I have this image of our chairman, being thrown around in the wash like a rag doll, anxiously, peering out of the machine door with wide eyes and covered in soap................
.......! On a serious note, I would like to see another big target man in the Leo style who can hold the ball up and lay it on to the smaller strikers too. However, I am more than happy with the quality of our squad generally and Sammi is clearly shaping the style of play he wants, which looks pretty exciting to me. If after a while we are are left wanting in the big striker area, to mix the style up a bit, I am sure we will get someone on loan or perhaps a signing from a lower division and this, is of course assuming, that COG cannot provide what is needed. My feeling is that he will probably prove useful, given a bit more game time. However, this is all detail and I believe that this is the strongest Albion squad in a while, with plenty of options and some good quality. Looking forward to Saturday, and let's ramp up the Amex atmosphere!

Score: 2

VegasSeagull
3:13pm Thu 28 Aug 14

VegasSeagull wrote…

mark5 wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

Priceless...........

.........I have this image of our chairman, being thrown around in the wash like a rag doll, anxiously, peering out of the machine door with wide eyes and covered in soap................

.......! On a serious note, I would like to see another big target man in the Leo style who can hold the ball up and lay it on to the smaller strikers too. However, I am more than happy with the quality of our squad generally and Sammi is clearly shaping the style of play he wants, which looks pretty exciting to me. If after a while we are are left wanting in the big striker area, to mix the style up a bit, I am sure we will get someone on loan or perhaps a signing from a lower division and this, is of course assuming, that COG cannot provide what is needed. My feeling is that he will probably prove useful, given a bit more game time. However, this is all detail and I believe that this is the strongest Albion squad in a while, with plenty of options and some good quality. Looking forward to Saturday, and let's ramp up the Amex atmosphere!

who would you have stand down to make way for a, 'target man.'

put another way, who would you NOT have signed in order to sign a target man.

[quote][p][bold]VegasSeagull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]mark5[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.[/p][/quote]Priceless...........
.........I have this image of our chairman, being thrown around in the wash like a rag doll, anxiously, peering out of the machine door with wide eyes and covered in soap................
.......! On a serious note, I would like to see another big target man in the Leo style who can hold the ball up and lay it on to the smaller strikers too. However, I am more than happy with the quality of our squad generally and Sammi is clearly shaping the style of play he wants, which looks pretty exciting to me. If after a while we are are left wanting in the big striker area, to mix the style up a bit, I am sure we will get someone on loan or perhaps a signing from a lower division and this, is of course assuming, that COG cannot provide what is needed. My feeling is that he will probably prove useful, given a bit more game time. However, this is all detail and I believe that this is the strongest Albion squad in a while, with plenty of options and some good quality. Looking forward to Saturday, and let's ramp up the Amex atmosphere![/p][/quote]who would you have stand down to make way for a, 'target man.'[/p][/quote]put another way, who would you NOT have signed in order to sign a target man.VegasSeagull

VegasSeagull wrote…

mark5 wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

Priceless...........

.........I have this image of our chairman, being thrown around in the wash like a rag doll, anxiously, peering out of the machine door with wide eyes and covered in soap................

.......! On a serious note, I would like to see another big target man in the Leo style who can hold the ball up and lay it on to the smaller strikers too. However, I am more than happy with the quality of our squad generally and Sammi is clearly shaping the style of play he wants, which looks pretty exciting to me. If after a while we are are left wanting in the big striker area, to mix the style up a bit, I am sure we will get someone on loan or perhaps a signing from a lower division and this, is of course assuming, that COG cannot provide what is needed. My feeling is that he will probably prove useful, given a bit more game time. However, this is all detail and I believe that this is the strongest Albion squad in a while, with plenty of options and some good quality. Looking forward to Saturday, and let's ramp up the Amex atmosphere!

who would you have stand down to make way for a, 'target man.'

put another way, who would you NOT have signed in order to sign a target man.

Score: 1

VegasSeagull
3:12pm Thu 28 Aug 14

mark5 wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

Priceless...........

.........I have this image of our chairman, being thrown around in the wash like a rag doll, anxiously, peering out of the machine door with wide eyes and covered in soap................

.......! On a serious note, I would like to see another big target man in the Leo style who can hold the ball up and lay it on to the smaller strikers too. However, I am more than happy with the quality of our squad generally and Sammi is clearly shaping the style of play he wants, which looks pretty exciting to me. If after a while we are are left wanting in the big striker area, to mix the style up a bit, I am sure we will get someone on loan or perhaps a signing from a lower division and this, is of course assuming, that COG cannot provide what is needed. My feeling is that he will probably prove useful, given a bit more game time. However, this is all detail and I believe that this is the strongest Albion squad in a while, with plenty of options and some good quality. Looking forward to Saturday, and let's ramp up the Amex atmosphere!

who would you have stand down to make way for a, 'target man.'

[quote][p][bold]mark5[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Mayfield sweeper[/bold] wrote:
It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.[/p][/quote]Priceless...........
.........I have this image of our chairman, being thrown around in the wash like a rag doll, anxiously, peering out of the machine door with wide eyes and covered in soap................
.......! On a serious note, I would like to see another big target man in the Leo style who can hold the ball up and lay it on to the smaller strikers too. However, I am more than happy with the quality of our squad generally and Sammi is clearly shaping the style of play he wants, which looks pretty exciting to me. If after a while we are are left wanting in the big striker area, to mix the style up a bit, I am sure we will get someone on loan or perhaps a signing from a lower division and this, is of course assuming, that COG cannot provide what is needed. My feeling is that he will probably prove useful, given a bit more game time. However, this is all detail and I believe that this is the strongest Albion squad in a while, with plenty of options and some good quality. Looking forward to Saturday, and let's ramp up the Amex atmosphere![/p][/quote]who would you have stand down to make way for a, 'target man.'VegasSeagull

mark5 wrote…

Mayfield sweeper wrote…

It's not just support he needs, it's also a step ladder. There's no one to aim at in the box, I can only think that the reason we sign so many short players is because Bloom feels intimidated by having too many tall people at the club being rather vertically challenged himself. Also these small players could fall down drains or under the floor boards etc. Bloom himself could easily be accidently put into the washing machine with the dirty kit if he fell into a laundry basket so he must know the risks.

Priceless...........

.........I have this image of our chairman, being thrown around in the wash like a rag doll, anxiously, peering out of the machine door with wide eyes and covered in soap................

.......! On a serious note, I would like to see another big target man in the Leo style who can hold the ball up and lay it on to the smaller strikers too. However, I am more than happy with the quality of our squad generally and Sammi is clearly shaping the style of play he wants, which looks pretty exciting to me. If after a while we are are left wanting in the big striker area, to mix the style up a bit, I am sure we will get someone on loan or perhaps a signing from a lower division and this, is of course assuming, that COG cannot provide what is needed. My feeling is that he will probably prove useful, given a bit more game time. However, this is all detail and I believe that this is the strongest Albion squad in a while, with plenty of options and some good quality. Looking forward to Saturday, and let's ramp up the Amex atmosphere!

who would you have stand down to make way for a, 'target man.'

Score: 1

bbb1969
3:20pm Thu 28 Aug 14

It's just a matter of opinion regarding a large striker or small nippy forwards. I used to play and flick on high balls for the small forwards and my team scored many goals that way; we did play the passing game but mixed it up but then I was not playing to the quality of the players we are discussing. COG is a large forward but will he be played based on hios recent form; I will still give him a chance as he has performed at this level and well so I think he needs to settle in (yes some players can come in straight away and settle in, others can't).

I would like to see a better quality target man if COG does not peform by January; think we are OK now and we do have big midfielders and defenders that should be filling the box in open play and set pieces.

Lets see how it goes cos I think we are looking pretty good and I can see CMS, Colunga and Baldock on and rotating regularly; what a nighmare for opposition; CMS and colunga can play wide as well as Tex so wingers are not a problem especially when March and Lua Lua are fit.

Think all will be OK and I am hoping we will get a string of wins early so teams fear coming to the Amex and hope we don't turn up when we are away.

It's just a matter of opinion regarding a large striker or small nippy forwards. I used to play and flick on high balls for the small forwards and my team scored many goals that way; we did play the passing game but mixed it up but then I was not playing to the quality of the players we are discussing. COG is a large forward but will he be played based on hios recent form; I will still give him a chance as he has performed at this level and well so I think he needs to settle in (yes some players can come in straight away and settle in, others can't).
I would like to see a better quality target man if COG does not peform by January; think we are OK now and we do have big midfielders and defenders that should be filling the box in open play and set pieces.
Lets see how it goes cos I think we are looking pretty good and I can see CMS, Colunga and Baldock on and rotating regularly; what a nighmare for opposition; CMS and colunga can play wide as well as Tex so wingers are not a problem especially when March and Lua Lua are fit.
Think all will be OK and I am hoping we will get a string of wins early so teams fear coming to the Amex and hope we don't turn up when we are away.bbb1969

It's just a matter of opinion regarding a large striker or small nippy forwards. I used to play and flick on high balls for the small forwards and my team scored many goals that way; we did play the passing game but mixed it up but then I was not playing to the quality of the players we are discussing. COG is a large forward but will he be played based on hios recent form; I will still give him a chance as he has performed at this level and well so I think he needs to settle in (yes some players can come in straight away and settle in, others can't).

I would like to see a better quality target man if COG does not peform by January; think we are OK now and we do have big midfielders and defenders that should be filling the box in open play and set pieces.

Lets see how it goes cos I think we are looking pretty good and I can see CMS, Colunga and Baldock on and rotating regularly; what a nighmare for opposition; CMS and colunga can play wide as well as Tex so wingers are not a problem especially when March and Lua Lua are fit.

Think all will be OK and I am hoping we will get a string of wins early so teams fear coming to the Amex and hope we don't turn up when we are away.

Can't believe I've allowed myself to get sucked into this so I'll make one final comment.
Arsenal signed Giroud two season ago because teams worked out how to defend against them, which was defend deep in numbers in central areas, therefore restricting the space behind for the likes of Walcott to run into. They were happy to let them go wide because they knew it would be easy to defend crosses against their small team.
Since Giroud signed have they become less attractive to watch ? Do they just lump the ball in the air to him ?
NO on both counts.
What they have become with him in the side is less predictable because they can attack in more than one way & sides find it more difficult to set up defensively against them. They still score with runners from midfield playing 1/2 touch football with Giroud often the focal point of this. They also now score from crosses so the defences will be more stretched because those wide areas now have to be defended.
So for all of you muppets who don't get the point & think I'm talking Dinosaur football get real. If you only have one form of attack you become predictable & easier to play against, regardless of how attractive that football is.

Make your fn mind up you just recently posted you can't compare League to league then you do.
Kermit
Tw4t

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
Can't believe I've allowed myself to get sucked into this so I'll make one final comment.
Arsenal signed Giroud two season ago because teams worked out how to defend against them, which was defend deep in numbers in central areas, therefore restricting the space behind for the likes of Walcott to run into. They were happy to let them go wide because they knew it would be easy to defend crosses against their small team.
Since Giroud signed have they become less attractive to watch ? Do they just lump the ball in the air to him ?
NO on both counts.
What they have become with him in the side is less predictable because they can attack in more than one way & sides find it more difficult to set up defensively against them. They still score with runners from midfield playing 1/2 touch football with Giroud often the focal point of this. They also now score from crosses so the defences will be more stretched because those wide areas now have to be defended.
So for all of you muppets who don't get the point & think I'm talking Dinosaur football get real. If you only have one form of attack you become predictable & easier to play against, regardless of how attractive that football is.[/p][/quote]Make your fn mind up you just recently posted you can't compare League to league then you do.
Kermit
Tw4tjockithenoo

elljam wrote…

Can't believe I've allowed myself to get sucked into this so I'll make one final comment.
Arsenal signed Giroud two season ago because teams worked out how to defend against them, which was defend deep in numbers in central areas, therefore restricting the space behind for the likes of Walcott to run into. They were happy to let them go wide because they knew it would be easy to defend crosses against their small team.
Since Giroud signed have they become less attractive to watch ? Do they just lump the ball in the air to him ?
NO on both counts.
What they have become with him in the side is less predictable because they can attack in more than one way & sides find it more difficult to set up defensively against them. They still score with runners from midfield playing 1/2 touch football with Giroud often the focal point of this. They also now score from crosses so the defences will be more stretched because those wide areas now have to be defended.
So for all of you muppets who don't get the point & think I'm talking Dinosaur football get real. If you only have one form of attack you become predictable & easier to play against, regardless of how attractive that football is.

Make your fn mind up you just recently posted you can't compare League to league then you do.
Kermit
Tw4t

Score: 1

jockithenoo
4:30pm Thu 28 Aug 14

elljam wrote…

Can't believe I've allowed myself to get sucked into this so I'll make one final comment.
Arsenal signed Giroud two season ago because teams worked out how to defend against them, which was defend deep in numbers in central areas, therefore restricting the space behind for the likes of Walcott to run into. They were happy to let them go wide because they knew it would be easy to defend crosses against their small team.
Since Giroud signed have they become less attractive to watch ? Do they just lump the ball in the air to him ?
NO on both counts.
What they have become with him in the side is less predictable because they can attack in more than one way & sides find it more difficult to set up defensively against them. They still score with runners from midfield playing 1/2 touch football with Giroud often the focal point of this. They also now score from crosses so the defences will be more stretched because those wide areas now have to be defended.
So for all of you muppets who don't get the point & think I'm talking Dinosaur football get real. If you only have one form of attack you become predictable & easier to play against, regardless of how attractive that football is.

Make your fn mind up you just recently posted you can't compare League to league then you do.
Kermit
Tw4t

[quote][p][bold]elljam[/bold] wrote:
Can't believe I've allowed myself to get sucked into this so I'll make one final comment.
Arsenal signed Giroud two season ago because teams worked out how to defend against them, which was defend deep in numbers in central areas, therefore restricting the space behind for the likes of Walcott to run into. They were happy to let them go wide because they knew it would be easy to defend crosses against their small team.
Since Giroud signed have they become less attractive to watch ? Do they just lump the ball in the air to him ?
NO on both counts.
What they have become with him in the side is less predictable because they can attack in more than one way & sides find it more difficult to set up defensively against them. They still score with runners from midfield playing 1/2 touch football with Giroud often the focal point of this. They also now score from crosses so the defences will be more stretched because those wide areas now have to be defended.
So for all of you muppets who don't get the point & think I'm talking Dinosaur football get real. If you only have one form of attack you become predictable & easier to play against, regardless of how attractive that football is.[/p][/quote]Make your fn mind up you just recently posted you can't compare League to league then you do.
Kermit
Tw4tjockithenoo

elljam wrote…

Can't believe I've allowed myself to get sucked into this so I'll make one final comment.
Arsenal signed Giroud two season ago because teams worked out how to defend against them, which was defend deep in numbers in central areas, therefore restricting the space behind for the likes of Walcott to run into. They were happy to let them go wide because they knew it would be easy to defend crosses against their small team.
Since Giroud signed have they become less attractive to watch ? Do they just lump the ball in the air to him ?
NO on both counts.
What they have become with him in the side is less predictable because they can attack in more than one way & sides find it more difficult to set up defensively against them. They still score with runners from midfield playing 1/2 touch football with Giroud often the focal point of this. They also now score from crosses so the defences will be more stretched because those wide areas now have to be defended.
So for all of you muppets who don't get the point & think I'm talking Dinosaur football get real. If you only have one form of attack you become predictable & easier to play against, regardless of how attractive that football is.

Make your fn mind up you just recently posted you can't compare League to league then you do.
Kermit
Tw4t

Score: 0

wolf miguel
6:13pm Thu 28 Aug 14

We could try playing Rohan up front on the odd occasions ie free kicks/ corners etc. Also maybe loan Bobby Z or Glenn Murray.

We could try playing Rohan up front on the odd occasions ie free kicks/ corners etc. Also maybe loan Bobby Z or Glenn Murray.wolf miguel

We could try playing Rohan up front on the odd occasions ie free kicks/ corners etc. Also maybe loan Bobby Z or Glenn Murray.

Score: 0

mikeygit
7:03pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Well now with all these players---that we all new would come!! Ho Ho But well done to all at BHA.
Sammi now has his work cut out choosing the right team for each game and I guess to some degree there will be an element of trial and error. Many player will now be looking over their shoulders wondering about whether they will get games. IMO a good thing it will sharpen them up a lot, and ´when the going gets tough, the tough gets going´ it will sort out the men from the boys.
The Lenihan ´transfer´seems to have gone all quiet??

Well now with all these players---that we all new would come!! Ho Ho But well done to all at BHA.
Sammi now has his work cut out choosing the right team for each game and I guess to some degree there will be an element of trial and error. Many player will now be looking over their shoulders wondering about whether they will get games. IMO a good thing it will sharpen them up a lot, and ´when the going gets tough, the tough gets going´ it will sort out the men from the boys.
The Lenihan ´transfer´seems to have gone all quiet??mikeygit

Well now with all these players---that we all new would come!! Ho Ho But well done to all at BHA.
Sammi now has his work cut out choosing the right team for each game and I guess to some degree there will be an element of trial and error. Many player will now be looking over their shoulders wondering about whether they will get games. IMO a good thing it will sharpen them up a lot, and ´when the going gets tough, the tough gets going´ it will sort out the men from the boys.
The Lenihan ´transfer´seems to have gone all quiet??

Score: 1

DougRouvie
9:28pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Apologies for my typos, very frustrating posting with fat fingers, small keys. But you get my drift

Apologies for my typos, very frustrating posting with fat fingers, small keys. But you get my driftDougRouvie

Apologies for my typos, very frustrating posting with fat fingers, small keys. But you get my drift

Score: 1

Ex-pat Arnie
7:15pm Thu 28 Aug 14

brightonup wrote…

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

It makes us that more difficult to defend against. Last season if you kept Ulloa off the scoresheet you'd normally get at least a point from us. Now you have several to keep out.

[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant![/p][/quote]It makes us that more difficult to defend against. Last season if you kept Ulloa off the scoresheet you'd normally get at least a point from us. Now you have several to keep out.Ex-pat Arnie

brightonup wrote…

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

It makes us that more difficult to defend against. Last season if you kept Ulloa off the scoresheet you'd normally get at least a point from us. Now you have several to keep out.

Score: 0

brightonup
7:22pm Thu 28 Aug 14

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

brightonup wrote…

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

It makes us that more difficult to defend against. Last season if you kept Ulloa off the scoresheet you'd normally get at least a point from us. Now you have several to keep out.

True!

[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant![/p][/quote]It makes us that more difficult to defend against. Last season if you kept Ulloa off the scoresheet you'd normally get at least a point from us. Now you have several to keep out.[/p][/quote]True!brightonup

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

brightonup wrote…

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

It makes us that more difficult to defend against. Last season if you kept Ulloa off the scoresheet you'd normally get at least a point from us. Now you have several to keep out.

True!

Score: 0

ringtone
7:25pm Thu 28 Aug 14

We love you baldock we do

We love you baldock we do

We love you baldock we do

Now go an score an hatful you 100% pure lower league............

We love you baldock we do
We love you baldock we do
We love you baldock we do
Now go an score an hatful you 100% pure lower league............ringtone

We love you baldock we do

We love you baldock we do

We love you baldock we do

Now go an score an hatful you 100% pure lower league............

Score: 0

VegasSeagull
8:51pm Thu 28 Aug 14

brightonup wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

brightonup wrote…

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

It makes us that more difficult to defend against. Last season if you kept Ulloa off the scoresheet you'd normally get at least a point from us. Now you have several to keep out.

True!

If a striker is quick enough and nimble enough he can get in front of the defender when the ball is whipped across in open play. The defender can be eight feet tall but if he can't handle a quick and agile striker, it doesn't matter how tall the striker is. Set pieces is something else but Greer and Dunck appear to be winning a few balls more than recent seasons.

[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ex-pat Arnie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]brightonup[/bold] wrote:
I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant![/p][/quote]It makes us that more difficult to defend against. Last season if you kept Ulloa off the scoresheet you'd normally get at least a point from us. Now you have several to keep out.[/p][/quote]True![/p][/quote]If a striker is quick enough and nimble enough he can get in front of the defender when the ball is whipped across in open play. The defender can be eight feet tall but if he can't handle a quick and agile striker, it doesn't matter how tall the striker is. Set pieces is something else but Greer and Dunck appear to be winning a few balls more than recent seasons.VegasSeagull

brightonup wrote…

Ex-pat Arnie wrote…

brightonup wrote…

I am sure I am not the only one who has noticed that Sami meant what he said when he declared 'we will share out the goalscoring'. GG almost scored on Saturday, Ince has got his first for the team, JFC taking the penalties, a good number of shots generally in the last couple of league games etc,,,,, the goals could come from anywhere! Brilliant!

It makes us that more difficult to defend against. Last season if you kept Ulloa off the scoresheet you'd normally get at least a point from us. Now you have several to keep out.

True!

If a striker is quick enough and nimble enough he can get in front of the defender when the ball is whipped across in open play. The defender can be eight feet tall but if he can't handle a quick and agile striker, it doesn't matter how tall the striker is. Set pieces is something else but Greer and Dunck appear to be winning a few balls more than recent seasons.

Score: 3

DougRouvie
9:25pm Thu 28 Aug 14

For Me, Baldock and CMS will be more than capable for this Division. Sam Vokes wasn't amazing with us but done a job for Burnkey alongside Ings. Derby looked the part with Martin being the main target striker, who hasn't really set the standard world on fire. COG isn't a true target man, but will pick up scraps alla Gary Lineker (poaching). But the most exciting thing gor me is not the strikers but the quality we now have in midfield, Goals will keep coming in abundance from Tex, Crofts, JFC, Holla, Kaz...... Thie big target man for Sammi will not be needed, thank god. Totally different system and approach, Clearly. I can't wait for Saturday, im expecting ups and downs as usual, Some bad performances of course, What team doesn't. But most of all I think we will have enough depyh to be able to recover from our Major Player injuries that will inevitably occur instantly, rather than having to patch up the team. Love it, Win, Lose or Draw. Come on you Seagulls!!!

For Me, Baldock and CMS will be more than capable for this Division. Sam Vokes wasn't amazing with us but done a job for Burnkey alongside Ings. Derby looked the part with Martin being the main target striker, who hasn't really set the standard world on fire. COG isn't a true target man, but will pick up scraps alla Gary Lineker (poaching). But the most exciting thing gor me is not the strikers but the quality we now have in midfield, Goals will keep coming in abundance from Tex, Crofts, JFC, Holla, Kaz...... Thie big target man for Sammi will not be needed, thank god. Totally different system and approach, Clearly. I can't wait for Saturday, im expecting ups and downs as usual, Some bad performances of course, What team doesn't. But most of all I think we will have enough depyh to be able to recover from our Major Player injuries that will inevitably occur instantly, rather than having to patch up the team. Love it, Win, Lose or Draw. Come on you Seagulls!!!DougRouvie

For Me, Baldock and CMS will be more than capable for this Division. Sam Vokes wasn't amazing with us but done a job for Burnkey alongside Ings. Derby looked the part with Martin being the main target striker, who hasn't really set the standard world on fire. COG isn't a true target man, but will pick up scraps alla Gary Lineker (poaching). But the most exciting thing gor me is not the strikers but the quality we now have in midfield, Goals will keep coming in abundance from Tex, Crofts, JFC, Holla, Kaz...... Thie big target man for Sammi will not be needed, thank god. Totally different system and approach, Clearly. I can't wait for Saturday, im expecting ups and downs as usual, Some bad performances of course, What team doesn't. But most of all I think we will have enough depyh to be able to recover from our Major Player injuries that will inevitably occur instantly, rather than having to patch up the team. Love it, Win, Lose or Draw. Come on you Seagulls!!!

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